A sensing goggle for measuring intraocular pressure

Abstract

One or more MEMS pressure sensors (20) in the form of a membrane structure capable of measuring pressure by interferometry in a first case in which a light-sensing optical device (38) in the form of an endoscopic or miniature camera is configured to detect and is implanted in the eye, wherein the membrane structure form may consist of layers in the form of layered metal-dielectric-metal layers, wherein the membrane structure form is reflective of light; in a second embodiment, wherein said pressure sensor (20) is not implanted in the eye, a grid mask (40) formed of a metallic or transparent material, formed on a substrate (24) of opaque lines projected onto the eye and formed by a pattern consisting of a series of parallel and perpendicular lines, and provided so as to transmit part of the light directed to the cornea and part of the light not transmitted; a scattering plate (36) provided in a form having a reflective surface or a scattering surface disposed on the front part of the frame (12) in close proximity to the optical device (38), which allows diffraction beams (26) to be directed to the optical device (38).

Description

[0001] A SENSING GOGGLE FOR MEASURING INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a sensing goggle for measuring intraocular pressure, comprising an optical device in the form of an endoscopic or miniature camera.

[0004] Prior Art

[0005] Monitoring of intraocular pressure is important for the follow-up of eye diseases such as glaucoma. For this purpose, tonometer-based devices that measure intraocular pressure by direct contact with the cornea can be used in the literature. In addition, optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique based devices and / or probes can be used for non-invasive observation of the eye (corneal wall). Again, in the literature, intraocular pressure detection is provided with a contact lens with a radio frequency receiver and / or transmitting antenna or similar device placed in the cornea and an external data receiving unit (also containing a receiver and / or transmitting antenna). It is also possible to read a pressure sensor placed inside the eye on the ciliary muscle or the lens of the eye by external radiofrequency and / or optical methods.

[0006] The technical field includes eyeglasses or head-mounted devices for measuring intraocular pressure. Accordingly, the invention EP3271776 relates to methods and systems for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases hazardous to health. The invention discloses methods and systems for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases hazardous to health for a healthcare system for use in various healthcare applications, for example in patient diagnosis, monitoring and / or therapy. The invention may comprise a light generation module for transmitting light or images to a user, one or more sensors for detecting a physiological parameter of the user's body, including the eyes, for example for detecting glaucoma, and processing circuitry for analysing an input received in response to what is presented and images are taken to determine one or more health conditions or defects. The invention comprises a pressure gauge, an optical sensor, a mirror, a lens in the form of spectacles. However, in a first and a second embodiment, the MEMS pressure sensor does not include a scattering plate provided in a form comprising one or more diffraction gratings, a reflective (smooth surface) surface or a scattering (rough surface) surface with or without a membrane structure on the bottom wall of the MEMS pressure sensor and providing measurement of the light intensity thereon by an optical device (such as a laser, LED or SLED) and another optical device (camera) disposed on the handles of the glasses. Furthermore, in a second embodiment of the sensing eyewear in which the sensors are not implanted in the eye, there is no grating pattern.

[0007] As a result, all the above-mentioned problems have made it necessary to make an innovation in the relevant technical field.

[0008] Objectives of the Invention

[0009] The present invention relates to a sensing goggle for measuring intraocular pressure, in order to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and to bring new advantages to the relevant technical field.

[0010] An object of the invention relates to a sensing goggle for measuring intraocular pressure, which enables the measurement of intraocular pressure with a sensor to be placed directly in the eye.

[0011] A further object of the invention relates to a sensing goggle for measuring intraocular pressure, which, in contrast to the prior art, enables direct pressure measurement to be observed in real time at the same time.

[0012] Brief Description of the Invention

[0013] In order to fulfil all the aforementioned objects and those which will arise from the following detailed description, the present invention is a sensing goggle for measuring intraocular pressure, comprising a light-sensing optical device in the form of an endoscopic or miniature camera, which is inserted in a stem extending from the lateral portions of a frame and which comprises one or more lenses. The invention relates to one or more MEMS pressure sensors in the form of a membrane structure capable of measuring pressure by interferometer technique in a first case in which the optical device is set to detect and is implanted in the eye, the membrane structure form may consist of layers in the form of layered metal- dielectric-metal, the membrane structure form being reflective of light; in a second embodiment, wherein said pressure sensor is not implanted in the eye, a diffraction grating group provided with a grating pattern consisting of opaque lines on a substrate shaped from a metallic or transparent material, the pattern consisting of a series of parallel and perpendicular lines projected onto the eye, so as to transmit part of the light directed to the cornea and not transmit part of it; a scatterer plate, provided in a form having a reflective surface or a scattering surface disposed on the front of the frame in close proximity to the optical device, for directing diffraction gratings to the optical device. Thus, it is possible to measure intraocular pressure with a sensor to be implanted directly into the eye or with a pattern consisting of vertical and horizontal lines directed to the eye, and unlike previous techniques, direct (when the sensor is implanted) or indirect (when the sensor is not implanted) pressure measurement can be observed at the same time in real time.

[0014] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the grating assembly comprises a bottom diffraction grating disposed on the bottom wall of the MEMS pressure sensor, on which a membrane form is provided, and a plurality of peripheral diffraction gratings disposed on the periphery of the MEMS pressure sensor. Thus, a structure is obtained that reflects a part of the light directed to the sensor and enables the normalization of the pressure measurement from the membrane to be performed against the change in light intensity, the shift of the glasses on the user's head, etc.

[0015] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a light source positioned above the handle. Thus, light generation is provided by the light source.

[0016] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises one or more mirrors which provide angular distribution and orientation of the light from the light source. Thus, the light source is directed towards the cornea.

[0017] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a substrate is a wafer which is transparent to the wavelengths of the light source, the MEMS pressure sensor and the diffraction grating assembly being on it. Thus, a structure is provided in which the rotating part of the light source from the MEMS membrane structure and the opaque parts of the diffraction grating interfere with each other and reflect back.

[0018] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of lenses arranged on the frame between the mirrors. Thus, magnification of the size (diameter) of the light is provided. A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the MEMS pressure sensor is made of metallic and dielectric materials. Thus, its strength is ensured.

[0019] Brief Description of the Figures

[0020] Figure 1 shows the MEMS pressure sensor and diffraction gratings schematically.

[0021] Figure 2 schematically shows the application in which the MEMS pressure sensor is implanted in the eye.

[0022] Figure 3 schematically shows the sensing goggles in the first case with the implant and without the grating mask.

[0023] Figure 4 schematically shows the sensing goggles worn by the wearer in the first case with the implant in place and without the grating mask.

[0024] Figure 5 schematically illustrates the sensing goggles in the second case without the implant and with the grid mask in place.

[0025] Figure 6 schematically shows the grid mask.

[0026] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0027] In this detailed description, the inventive subject matter of the invention, a sensing goggle for measuring intraocular pressure, is described only by way of non-limiting examples for a better understanding of the subject matter.

[0028] A sensing goggle (10) for measuring intraocular pressure comprises a light-sensing optical device (38) in the form of an endoscopic or miniature camera, having one or more lenses (32) inserted in a stem (14) extending from lateral portions of a frame (12).

[0029] A sensing goggle (10) according to the invention comprises a plurality of MEMS pressure sensors (20), a diffraction grating assembly (22), a scattering plate (36). Here, the MEMS pressure sensor (20) is a sensor in the form of a membrane structure in which the optical device (38) is adjusted to detect and can measure the pressure with the interferometer technique in a first state in which it is implanted in the eye, the membrane structure form can be composed of layers in the form of layered metal-dielectric-metal, where the membrane structure form is a light reflector. In a second embodiment in which the said pressure sensor (20) is not implanted in the eye, the invention provides a grid structure which is projected onto the eye and which is formed by a grid mask (40) formed by opaque lines on a substrate (24) shaped from a metallic or transparent material, the pattern of which is formed by a series of parallel and perpendicular lines, so as to transmit part of the light directed to the cornea (34), i.e. in line with the line patterns. The scattering plate (36) is a plate provided in a form having a reflective surface or a scattering surface placed on the front part of the frame (12) close to the optical device (38), which allows the diffraction beams (26) to be directed to the optical device (38). In the invention, the diffraction grating assembly (22) comprises a plurality of bottom diffraction gratings (220) arranged on the bottom wall of the MEMS pressure sensor (20) and provided with a membrane form thereon, and a plurality of peripheral diffraction gratings (222) arranged around the periphery of the MEMS pressure sensor (20). The invention further comprises a light source (28) disposed on the stem (14). In one embodiment of the invention, one or more mirrors (30) are provided for angular distribution and orientation of light from the light source (28). The substrate (24) of the invention is a wafer on which a MEMS pressure sensor (20) and a diffraction grating assembly (22), which are reflective to the wavelengths of the light source (28), can reflect the light source (28). One embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of lenses (32) arranged on the frame (12) between the mirrors (30). Also in the invention, the MEMS pressure sensor (20) is made of metallic and dielectric materials.

[0030] In the invention, the light striking the sensor (20) and the diffraction grating (22) (220) (222) forms angularly distributed light beams (26), which are diffraction orders due to the periodic structure of the diffraction grating. The functional features of the elements of a sensing (sensor-reader) goggle (10) for measuring the intraocular pressure are given below;

[0031] . MEMS pressure sensor (20), in the form of a membrane structure capable of measuring pressure by interferometer technique, to be implanted in the eye in a first case of wearable / wearable component sensing goggle (10) to be used by the user in monitoring the intensity of diffraction (light) beams (26), The outer part of the membrane structure form is exposed to intraocular pressure, while the inner part is a sensor that provides isolation to atmospheric (1 atm) or a different and constant pressure value to be determined in advance, and the membrane structure form consists of layers to be tolerant to temperature changes. In a second embodiment, the pattern of a grid mask (40) without an implant in the eye is directed to the cornea, and the pattern reflected from the cornea, whose radius of curvature changes with intraocular pressure, bounces off a scatterer or reflective plate and is directed to the camera. The changes in the pattern are used to estimate the extent to which the cornea is subjected to intraocular pressure.

[0032] • The diffraction gratingassembly and the bottom diffraction grating and the peripheral diffraction grating (22) (220) (222) are bottom gratings (220) in which some of the light passing through the gaps provided in the internal structure is reflected from the metal layer above the membrane structure. In this way, the bottom diffraction grating (220) and the peripheral diffraction grating (222) form an interference with the metal layer of the sensor. The light intensity of this interference is related to the distance of the membrane structure to the bottom diffraction grating (220). In this context, the membrane structure bends at different amounts at different pressure values, enabling pressure measurement to be performed. Here, apart from the bottom diffraction grating (220) located below the sensor (20), one or more peripheral diffraction gratings (222) are arranged around the sensor (20) and do not have a membrane thereon. The main function of these extra peripheral diffraction gratings (222) is to normalize the pressure measurement from the membrane against changes in light intensity, shifting of the goggles on the wearer's head, etc. When observing the light intensity of the diffraction beams (26), the light intensity from the pressure sensor (20) is divided by the light intensity obtained from the reference sensors (weighted average value of the reference sensors).

[0033] • The light source (28) may be a laser, LED, SLED (superluminescent diode) or any other type of source. The light source (28) is responsible for light production. The light source (28) may have a power unit (unit) on it, or it may be connected to a power source (battery, etc.) on which the user will work, by means of a cable for the transmission of electricity.

[0034] . The mirrors (30) allow the light source (28) to be directed at different angles.

[0035] • Lenses (32): Used to magnify the size (diameter) of the light. Typically, two or more lenses (32) are used to magnify the laser size (3-12 mm diameter) to cover the cornea (34). These lenses are telescopic, i.e. their distance from each other can be adjusted as the sum of their focal distances or can be adjusted differently. In this context, it is also an option that the beam of light coming into the eye gradually grows. Furthermore, the configuration of the lenses (32) plays a role in the collimation of the light beam as it approaches the eye at an increasing angle, and ensures that the diffraction beams (26) which hit the sensor (20) and return back are focused on the scattering plate (36).

[0036] • The scattering plate (36) is provided in a form comprising a reflective (smooth surface) surface or a scattering (rough surface) surface, and allows the diffraction beams (26) to be directed, i.e. reflected, to the optical device (38). Even when the eye is not looking straight ahead, some diffraction beams (26) will still hit this plate, so that pressure can be measured. One of the major benefits of the invention proposed herein is that the measurement can be made despite the eye movement of the person wearing the goggles (10).

[0037] • The optical device (38), which is positioned on the stem (14) of the spectacle for measuring the intensity of the diffraction orders (26) (both from the reference and the sensor) on the scattering plate (36), is an endoscopic or miniature camera format device with a lens (32). Here, the image from the optical device (38), i.e. the camera, is transmitted to a computing machine (mobile phone, microcontroller, etc.) unit (unit) by cable or wirelessly. Here, the light from the sensor (20) and the bottom diffraction gratings (220) is processed to obtain the pressure value.

[0038] • The grid mask (40) is also (in a second embodiment in which the sensors (20) are not implanted in the eye) formed of a metallic or transparent material, which is projected onto the eye and is a pattern consisting of a series of parallel and perpendicular lines (alternatively circular, spiral, parallel edge and / or various other geometries). Also on a surface / substrate (24) is a pattern of opaque (non-transparent) lines (perpendicular lines or circles, spirals, parallel edges or various linear patterns). This grid mask (40), which is transmitted to the cornea (34), is reflected from the scattering plate (36) and observed by the optical device (38), and intraocular pressure is obtained from the changes in the pattern.

[0039] Reference Numbers Given in the Figure

[0040] 10 Sensing goggle

[0041] 12 Frame

[0042] 14 Stem

[0043] 20 MEMS pressure sensor

[0044] 22 Diffraction grating assembly

[0045] 220 Bottom diffraction grating 222 Peripheral diffraction grating

[0046] 24 Substrate

[0047] 26 Diffraction beams

[0048] 28 Light source 30 Mirror

[0049] 32 Lens

[0050] 34 Cornea

[0051] 36 Scattering plate

[0052] 38 Optical device 40 Grid mask

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sensing goggle (10) for measuring intraocular pressure, characterized in that it comprises a light-sensing optical device (38) in the form of an endoscopic or miniature camera, which is placed on a frame (12) or on a stem (14) extending from its lateral parts, and which comprises one or more lenses (32); one or more MEMS pressure sensors (20), wherein the optical device (38) is tuned to detect and in a first state when implanted in the eye, is in the form of a membrane structure capable of measuring pressure by interferometer technique, wherein the membrane structure form may consist of layers in the form of layered metal-dielectric-metal, wherein the membrane structure form is light reflective; a scattering plate (36) provided in a form having a reflective surface or a scattering surface disposed on the front part of the frame (12) in a position close to the optical device (38), which allows diffraction beams (26) to be directed to the optical device.

2. A sensing goggle for measuring intraocular pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that the diffraction grating assembly (22) comprises a bottom diffraction grating (220) disposed on the lower wall of the MEMS pressure sensor (20), on which a membrane form is provided, and a plurality of peripheral diffraction gratings (222) disposed on the periphery of the MEMS pressure sensor (20).

3. A sensing goggle for measuring intraocular pressure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the MEMS pressure sensor (20) is made of metallic and dielectric materials.

4. A sensing goggle for measuring intraocular pressure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substrate (24) is a wafer which is transparent to the wavelengths of the light source, the MEMS pressure sensor (20) and the diffraction grating assembly (22) being on it.

5. A sensing goggle (10) for measuring intraocular pressure, comprising a light-sensing optical device (38) in the form of an endoscopic or miniature camera, disposed on a frame (12) or on a stem (14) extending from its lateral parts and having one or more lenses (32), characterized in that a grid mask (40) formed of a metallic or transparent material, formed by a pattern of parallel and perpendicular lines projected onto the eyeand formed by a series of parallel and perpendicular lines, formed by opaque lines on a substrate (24) and provided so as to transmit part of the light directed to the cornea (34) and not transmit part of it; a scattering plate (36) provided in a form having a reflective surface or a scattering surface disposed on the front part of the frame (12) in close proximity to the optical device (38), which allows diffraction beams (26) to be directed to the optical device via the scattering plate (36).

6. A sensing goggle for measuring intraocular pressure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a light source (28) positioned on the stem (14).

7. A sensing goggle for measuring intraocular pressure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more mirrors (30) for directing light from the light source (28) by angular distribution.

8. A sensing goggle for measuring intraocular pressure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of lenses (32) arranged on the frame (12) between the mirrors (30).

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